Explore Punakha

$1390

Tour Summary

Punakha—the valley so blessed—was once the capital of Bhutan. The landscape is breathtaking and the valley sits on an unusually quiet at the confluence of two rivers.
The visit to this valley will come with three-fold benefits, and those are; first, you will get to visit the valley that looks no less beautiful than Paro valley. Second, you will get to see the some of the rare birds like white-belled herion which are as rare of blue diamond in the world. And third, that the valley is so sacred.
The majestic dzong was built by Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 17th century and remain as his main seat till his death.

Arrive Paro International Airport (2200 meters above sea level) at any time and transfer to Thimphu.
In Thimphu (2300m), if time permits, take an orientation walk in town, do shopping and get settled in.

As you approach the Paro International Airport (2200 meters above sea level), you will have a spectacular—a real treat of beautiful land to your eyes—valley. When you walk out of the plane, you will be greeted by an unusually fresh and clean breeze before your guides come with a silken scarf to receive you.
From there, you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
In Thimphu (2300m), if time permits, take an orientation walk in town, do shopping and get settled.

Today, we will leave Thimphu for Punakha.
We will first stop at Docula Pass (3150m) and visit Druk Wangyel Chortens. Here, there are 108 stupas and it was built under the command of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to celebrate the victory over Indian Militants in 2003.
Then, we will descend down and stop as Chhimi Lhakhang. The temple here is known as the temple of fertility because it is strongly believed that all of the childless couples who seek the blessings will be granted their wishes.
This afternoon, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong (1200m). This fortress served as the capital of Bhutan for year in the past. If time permits, we will visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Zhingkham Resort (or similar)

DAY 3: PUNĀKHA

Punakha is known for its natural beauty. To explore its unusually exotic landscape that even rhymes in some of the classical Bhutanese songs, we will hike through rice terraces, usually golden fields, and forests to Khamsum Yueley Chorten.
After that, we will ramble through the suspension bridge over Pho Chhu.
The signature feature of Punakha is the confluence of the two rivers and without experiencing river rafting on one of the river, you would feel half contented. Thus, in the afternoon programme, we have a river rafting. You will raft on the white waters of Mochhu river under the guidance of some of the trained rafters.

Right after early breakfast, we will travel towards Paro. It is almost four hours journey.
On our way, if time permits, we will stop at Semtokha to visit the oldest dzong in the country which was built in 1629 by the father of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
Then, after lunch at Paro, we will go to Paro Dzong. This dzong is believed to have built on the heap of jewels, the name Paro Rinpung Dzong is derived from this. Today, it is the seat of the district administration. The first structure was built in 15th century and the mostf of the present structure was built in 17th century.
Then, we will visit the National Museum which was once a watch tower. After that, we will visit one of the oldest temples built in 8th century, Kyichu Lhakhang.

DAY 5: TAKTSANG HIKE
Travel to Bhutan and if you go back without hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, famously known as Taktsang Monastery (2900M), you have not completed your Bhutan trip. Thus, today, we will hike to the monastery. It will take at least 2 hours to reach the monastery.
The monastery was built by Guru Padmasambava in 8th century. The legend has it that he came riding on the furious tigress and subdued a demon that devoured human living in the valley.
After the hike, we will visit a home-stay and enjoy cultural program with dinner in pure Bhutanese style in the evening.